12.15pm Hereford and Folkestone racecourses in shock closure

Tony Paley: Arena Leisure and Northern Racing have announced on Friday the permanent closure of Hereford racecourse and the temporary closure of Folkestone racecourse at the end of the 2012 season. It's a decision which has shocked British racing - the first closures, Great Leighs notwithstanding, since Stockton was shut in 1981. You can read the full story here.

Friday's best best, by Greg Wood

A day with six cards is overshadowed by the news that Hereford and, possibly, Folkestone will close at the end of 2012. Racing goes on, but the possible loss of two courses, one jumps and one dual-purpose, is a significant blow to the confidence of a sport which has, to date, weathered the recession surprisingly well.

The nap bet is in the closing race at Ascot, where Avonmore Star (5.15) can build on a promising run at Kempton last time which was, on the clock, up there with his performances when contesting Pattern races as a two-year-old.

Almond Branches (8.30) is also worth an interest at York, where a repeat of her run at Catterick earlier this year would be enough to go very close. Taroum (Chepstow 8.20) and Expert Fighter (Newmarket 8.10) should also run well.

Tipping competition, day five

Three big-priced winners yesterday have shaken up the running order.Factormax has lifted himself from midfield into a clear lead by picking Annes Rocket (33-1), who ended a losing run of 18 races with Katia Scallan aboard at Sandown. In hot pursuit of our new leader are the other three who found Annes Rocket (diegoisgod, the in-form goofs and millreef), along with tuga79, the only one to pick Cha Ching (16-1). JahLion, glavintoby and CoolmoreStud were the only ones to dig out Amazingreyce (12-1).

This week's prize is a copy of Racing & Football Outlook's Football annual, previewing the new season, which starts on Saturday (in Scotland). As ever, the RFO's team have worked hard to cram in as much as they can in the way of stats, information, analysis and advice, making this a handy companion for the season's early months. If you won't use it yourself, you'll know someone who can, and if you don't win, you can buy it here for £7.99.

As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be four each day up until Friday.

Non-runners count as losers. If you have not joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today, but you will start on -12.

In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.